- Personal Appearances
Topics:
- Sport
John Francome
John Francome MBE (13 December 1952) is a former National Hunt Champion Jockey.
Becoming a Champion Jockey
Born in Swindon the son of a railway fireman, his family had no connection with the horse racing world. At sixteen years old he became apprentice to Lambourn trainer Fred Winter and so began his career as a jockey. He rode a total of 1,038 winners, his last being in April 1985. During the course of his career he was NH Champion Jockey seven times.
Life After Racing
After retiring Francome was awarded the MBE in 1986 for services to racing. He was a trainer for 18 months before becoming a TV presenter for Channel 4's horse racing broadcasts. Like another former jockey, Dick Francis, Francome has taken to writing works of fiction, his books have featured on the bestseller lists.
